WILL IT WORK

23 JUL 2012: United Airlines said Friday it is raising fares within the US by between $4 and $10 per round trip. It is the industry's first attempt at boosting prices in three months. Fare increases don't always stick and United could be forced to roll back the increase if other airlines don't match it in the next few days.

``Historically, a coin flip determines whether a hike attempt broadly sticks,'' said Rick Seaney, CEO of FareCompare.com. He said United's increase was the seventh attempt by US airlines to raise prices this year - three have stuck and four were rolled back.

Airlines were more aggressive about raising prices last year and early this year as jet-fuel costs soared. They grew cautious as the economy weakened in the second quarter, and they were under less pressure to raise prices because fuel costs eased starting in April.